The September 17 edition of Access Health newsletter highlights the integration of AI in health care, focusing on human roles alongside technological advancements. Register to receive this newsletter every Thursday.
As I prepared for Newsweek’s AI Health Summit, I noticed a shift from previous digital health care discussions. The emphasis now lies on human actions in response to AI capabilities. Key questions include:
- Who acts when AI alerts about a patient’s condition?
- How does AI’s involvement reshape clinicians’ responsibilities?
- Can administrative processes keep pace with AI’s speed?
Health systems have recognized AI’s achievements but face challenges in integrating it into traditional workflows and decision-making. Discussions now revolve around basic, yet significant questions: Who does what? In what sequence? Who holds the final decision? Changing established practices is complex, and not necessarily less daunting because it’s labeled ‘low-tech’.
The Stanford AI Index reveals significant AI performance improvements across various benchmarks from 2024 to 2025. However, the health care sector struggles to pace with AI’s evolution and adapt effectively. Industry leaders like Dan Shoenthal from MD Anderson Cancer Center acknowledge the gap between AI advancements and health care’s application to daily operations.
To evolve roles effectively, real-world experimentation is necessary, beyond theoretical planning, to truly comprehend technology’s role and impact.
Shoenthal encourages a collaborative approach, focusing on shared learnings over competitive adoption of AI tools. His insight supports a broader understanding of effective implementation in health care environments.
Major Health Care News
The latest health care updates include significant issues with Medicare’s WISeR AI-assisted authorization pilot, which shows substantial delays and technical faults. Despite CMS’s assurance of corrective measures, there are concerns about the system’s readiness prior to deployment.
The ACCESS model will expand its scope in 2027, reinforcing technology-supported care. This model, supported by 160 organizations, aligns major insurance payers with outcome-focused payment structures.
Memorial Sloan Kettering’s collaboration with OpenEvidence will integrate precision oncology guidance into Epic workflows. This partnership facilitates widespread access to advanced cancer-genomics knowledge beyond MSK clinicians.
Lastly, Dr. Nicole Saphier discussed vaccine-related concerns during her nomination hearing for Surgeon General, emphasizing public health priorities and addressing vaccine hesitancy risks amid policy changes.
Insightful Perspectives
In a conversation with Bill Golden, former UnitedHealthcare executive, he shared insights on AI’s potential in enhancing health plan operations. Golden stressed the power held by health insurers in the U.S. health care ecosystem, despite slow adoption of AI technologies compared to health systems.
Golden highlighted the complex health plan processes and the administrative opportunities for AI to streamline and improve both accuracy and efficiency. The aim is to enhance consumer experiences, moving from offering broad data to serving personalized, actionable insights.
Discussing Anterior, an AI company he now advises, Golden outlined its ambition to transform inefficiencies in health plans and connect various sectors within the health system. Rather than minor tweaks, Anterior aims to reshape how health care operates.
Moreover, Golden reflected on insurers reevaluating prior authorization needs, suggesting a shift toward consumer-centric practices influenced by AI capabilities.
Leadership Dynamics
Leadership announcements included Dr. David Skorton’s upcoming retirement from the AAMC, Nicholas Desai joining Notable as Chief Medical Officer, and Beto López leading the University of Houston’s Digital Healthcare Transformation Institute.
This newsletter preview sheds light on critical discussions expected at the AI Health Summit in New York City. Contact for attendance details at the event on September 23.
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